Dylan Axelrod had a streak of five consecutive starts with the Chicago White Sox in 2012, but that was over a two-month span as he shuttled between U.S. Cellular Field and Triple-A Charlotte.

With left-hander John Danks sidelined indefinitely as he tries to regain the velocity he lost after shoulder surgery last August, Axelrod will have an extended chance to secure his status as the Sox's fifth starter at least until Danks is ready - which might not occur until late April at the earliest.

"I feel comfortable having a routine and having that assurance definitely helps," Axelrod said. "Knowing that I’m going to start every fifth day or what have you. Not going back and forth between the starting rotation and bullpen, I think will benefit me with my routine."

Axelrod was 1-2 with a 5.03 ERA in seven starts and 1-0 with a 6.94 ERA in seven relief appearances. He was recalled four times from Charlotte last year.

"I’m just thinking about going out every fifth day and being accountable to be ready and being someone that’s reliable and can compete," said Axelrod, who will relieve Gavin Floyd and pitch the bulk of the innings on Saturday in the exhibition finale at Milwaukee. "I don’t know what’s going on. I’m just going to go do my job and not think about it."

Left-hander Hector Santiago will start Friday night, followed by a cast of relievers.